Health insurance that covers autism diagnosis and treatment in North Carolina is a big step closer to being required. The bill cleared one of its final hurdles Tuesday when it was passed by a House panel.
The House Insurance Committee voted to recommend to the full House a Senate bill negotiated by several advocacy groups and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
The bill does allow some treatment limits. Insurers can halt coverage at age 18 and set a coverage ceiling of $40,000 per year.
The national group Autism Speaks had held out for the new measure to contain protections on the level of mental health coverage. A group spokeswoman said it will keep working for the mental health parity for autism coverage but called the bill a positive incremental step.
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